Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)

OFDMA is the multi-user extension of OFDM technology, introduced with Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax). It allows a Wi-Fi router to communicate with multiple devices at the same time—like a Zoom call where all participants can speak and listen simultaneously without interrupting each other. Instead of serving one device after another, the wireless channel is divided into smaller frequency blocks that can be allocated to different users in parallel.

Scope and Application

OFDMA enables simultaneous data exchange between an access point and multiple clients. It is a key innovation in Wi-Fi 6, carried forward into Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

Typical application areas:

• High-density networks (offices, schools, airports)

• IoT environments with many low-data-rate devices

• Time-critical industrial or real-time systems

Key Technical Characteristics

• Subcarrier Partitioning:
  A 20 MHz Wi-Fi channel in Wi-Fi 6 is divided into up to 256 orthogonal subcarriers. Earlier Wi-Fi generations used fewer subcarriers and did not support OFDMA.

• Resource Units (RUs):
  Subcarriers are grouped into predefined blocks called RUs (Resource Units), which are assigned to individual users. Typical RU sizes include 26, 52, 106, and 242 subcarriers.

• Bidirectional Support:
  OFDMA supports both downlink (AP to client) and uplink (client to AP) transmissions.

• Performance Benefits:

  • Latency: Reduced by up to 4× for small-packet transmissions in dense deployments, based on empirical data

  • Spectral Efficiency: Improved frequency utilization

  • User Experience: More stable connections in congested environments

Practical Example:
In a high-density office with 50 IoT sensors, OFDMA assigns each device its own Resource Unit (RU), allowing simultaneous data transmission instead of sequential access.

Regulatory and Standards Context

OFDMA is a core component of IEEE 802.11ax and is implicitly covered by major regulatory standards:

• FCC §15.407 – applicable to 5 GHz and 6 GHz operation in the United States

• EN 303 687 – applies to Wi-Fi 6 and 6E equipment in the European Union

• EN 301 893 – relevant for DFS-related testing in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands

Implications for Certification:

• Power Spectral Density (PSD): Subcarrier-based partitioning affects PSD limits and measurement methods

• Timing Accuracy: Uplink OFDMA requires coordinated scheduling, which is subject to test validation

Lifecycle Relevance

For product development and market approval:

• Devices must implement dynamic resource allocation and uplink scheduler logic

• Testing must verify timing coordination and multi-user performance under regulatory test conditions

• OFDMA support is a key differentiator for Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 devices

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